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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

San Benito County Grand Jury • 2025-2026

Hollister Independence Day Rally

Published: June 03, 2026 6 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 4 findings

The iniƟal security vendor withdrew due to insuﬃcient or inaccurate informaƟon during the bidding process. A replacement vendor was secured two weeks prior to the event at signiﬁcantly higher cost, with personnel lacking relevant experience.

Many of the contracted security company's personnel did not have adequate rest or sleeping faciliƟes and slept in vehicles, which is a violaƟon of local ordinances.

There is conﬂicƟng informaƟon in regard to the forecasted budget for the 2025 Rally vs the actual amount spent on the Rally.

There is a lack of conƟnuity of informaƟon between the city oﬃcials and staﬀ members. The ad hoc CommiƩee, Mayor Stephens, and Councilmember Resendiz made the majority of decisions for the Rally.

Recommendations 7

R1

A professional security company for the Rally must be contracted no later than six months prior to the event.
R2

All contracts for services must require vendors to comply with the City’s municipal code and San Benito County Public Health code.
R3

Within three months following the 2026 Rally event, the City must disclose the actual expenditures incurred. Including but not limited to all staﬀ Ɵme.
R3A

Following any large event (greater than 1000 people) where City funds are expended, the City must disclose actual incurred costs.
R3B

Any future Rally event must have a realisƟc budget, including revenue projecƟons and sources adopted by the City Council at least nine months prior to the event. 19
R4

The ad hoc commiƩee cannot make decisions for the enƟre City Council. Within the next six months, the City must adopt rules and responsibiliƟes for all ad hoc commiƩees to ensure conƟnuity of informaƟon.
R4A

The City Council members are responsible for knowing what the acƟons the ad hoc commiƩee is taking and what is being proposed.